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A Roanoke Rapids woman was sentenced Monday, February 7, 2022 to 30 months in prison, a one-year term of supervised release and $818,650 in restitution, for aiding and assisting the preparation and presentation of a false federal income tax return (Form 1040), according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of North Carolina.

Makita Boone pleaded guilty to the charge on November 2, 2021.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, Boone was engaged in the preparation and filing of false and fraudulent federal income tax returns for others through Renee’s Tax Pros (RTP), a business that she owned and operated at locations in Roanoke Rapids and Enfield.

“Specifically, between approximately 2015 and 2019, Boone prepared over 200 false tax returns for RTP customers that reported fraudulent W-2 wages for the purpose of maximizing the earned income tax credit and otherwise inflating the tax refund amount,” stated the release. “The intended tax loss associated with the scheme was over $1,000,000.”

Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. IRS-Criminal Investigation investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam F. Hulbig prosecuted.

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